Phuket Immigration extortion allegations denied

PHUKET: The Phuket Immigration chief has asked foreigners who believe they have witnessed extortion at the hands of his officers, while applying for address verification letters and other free services, to report such incidents directly to him.

“There is no fee for this service or for 90-day reporting. If any foreigner is asked to pay for these services by one of our officers, he or she should come to my office to report the matter,” Phuket Immigration Office Chief Sunchai Chokkajaykij told the Phuket Gazette.

Col Sunchai’s statement follows a report from a Gazette reader that officers were openly charging 300 baht per person for address verification at the immigration office in Phuket Town yesterday.

“I doubt that this really happened. However, if it did, or does happen, please give me the exact name of the officer and I will deal with it,” said Col Sunchai.

Last year, similar allegations of extortion were made against the Patong Immigration Office, which also falls under the authority of Col Sunchai.

That complaint was filed to the Damrongtham Center (ombudsman’s office) at Phuket Provincial Hall and was taken up by Governor Nisit Jansomwong. The case eventually led to the removal of the offending officer (story here).

— Kongleaphy Keam